Projects

The Walk

The Walk is the YMCA’s main unit and is a temporary homeless hostel consisting of 76 single rooms. Residents are provided with food, accommodation and support until more permanent housing can be found.

Upon their arrival at The Walk residents are allocated a Support Worker who then meets with the resident on a regular basis to address their support needs. Support involves assessing the residents support issues and making a support plan with the resident which is then reviewed and updated monthly.

A Support Worker can provide advice and assistance with issues such as housing, education, employment, substance misuse, offending, mental and physical health, life skills, relationships and benefits. YMCA Support Workers can also make referrals to other agencies in and around Cardiff who can provide more specialised support.

Support Workers at The Walk are able to refer residents to the other YMCA projects – Design For Life, 8 Oakfield Street and the Working Incentive Scheme

Ambassador YMCA

The Ambassador YMCA is a homeless hostel based in Oakfield Street, Roath, consisting of 36 single and double rooms.

Residents living here are referred to the YMCA by Cardiff County Council’s Homelessness Department. Residents at the Ambassador are provided with food, accommodation and support until they are re-housed by the council.

Upon their arrival at the Ambassador residents are allocated a Support Worker who then meets with the resident on a regular basis to address their support needs. Support involves assessing the residents support issues and making a support plan with the resident which is then reviewed and updated monthly.

A Support Worker can provide advice and assistance with issues such as housing, education, employment, substance misuse, offending, mental and physical health, life skills, relationships and benefits. YMCA Support Workers can also make referrals to other agencies in and around Cardiff who can provide more specialised support.

YMC8

This is a multi-support need project which consists of 7 self contained flats.

Applicants for the project can be from either YMCA hostel or an external referral. Support is by the YMCA provided for up to two hours per week and therefore the applicants must be willing to engage with support and to work with their support worker to address any issues.

Referral forms can be obtained by calling the YMCA on 02920 465250.

Arthur Sansom House

The Association has five resettlement units on the upper floors of a house next to the main hostel at The Walk. There are shared kitchens and other facilities. Support is provided and allocation is usually through the main hostel residency.

Design For Life Project

The Design For Life Project is a resettlement project which is based in Arthur Sansom House (ASH) next to the YMCA. The ground floor consists of a Resource Centre, a Training Room and a kitchen.

The Resource Centre has three PCs with internet access for all YMCA residents to use and an Advice & Resettlement Worker and an Activities Worker are based here to provide residents with assistance.

Classes take place daily in the Training Room with activities such as Basic Skills English, careers and employment advice, acupuncture, films and quiz afternoons. Outdoor activities such as gardening, football and nature walks are also held weekly.

The first and second floors of ASH consist of five resettlement flats where the residents learn life skills, such as cooking, cleaning, budgeting and communication, in preparation for their move into independent living.

Working Incentive Scheme at the YMCA

The scheme was set up in June 2004 to encourage residents into employment. It aims to overcome barriers to work by providing practical advice and support as well as offering incentives to clients. Being in employment can give individuals greater self confidence, more independence, and work experience, the opportunity to meet new people and to earn and save money.

By offering incentives to scheme participants and giving them the opportunity to save, we aim to lessen the time residents spend waiting for permanent accommodation by encouraging private renting as well as applications to social housing. Support given to residents looking for work includes help with letters, CVs, job applications and preparation for interviews. There is also a jobs board in the hostel which is updated daily and the Support Team liaise with Jobcentreplus regarding any new vacancies.

One floor of the hostel has been set aside for residents on the scheme and a pack lunch is provided every working day. A starter pack of toiletries is also provided.

In return for the benefits of the scheme participants are expected to:

• work 16 hours or over a week
• engage regularly with their Support Worker
• provide evidence of work i.e. payslips, proof of income
• Currently living in a hostel or supported accommodation and willing to move to the YMCA

The Cardiff Foyer

The YMCA has been a partner with the Cardiff Foyer since it was first set up as a dispersed Foyer in partnership with Cardiff Community Housing Association. The YMCA provides three spaces for the project in its main hostel at The Walk.

The basic support is provided by the YMCA, but the work- training support is provided through the Foyer Support Workers who are employed through Tai Trothwy and are based at the Foyer office in Carlisle Street, Splott.